Lodi Unified mulls reducing class size by one

LODI - Lodi Unified trustees are expected to endorse a proposed class size reduction for next school year at tonight's board meeting, but which grade levels will see significant changes is still up for debate.

LODI - Lodi Unified trustees are expected to endorse a proposed class size reduction for next school year at tonight's board meeting, but which grade levels will see significant changes is still up for debate.

Trustee Ron Heberle has proposed a one-student decrease in class sizes across the board in kindergarten through high school classes. The shift would require the hiring of 26 full-time teachers at a cost of $2.15 million.

The proposal is a "first step," Heberle said, in what will be an open discussion. How the class size decrease is shaped will be debated, and could mean larger reductions in some grades with other grade levels keeping the status quo.

Teachers union President Jeff Johnston said a one-student decrease across the board could cause problematic staffing ratios and lead to combination classes at some grade levels.

Some trustees would like to see the proposal changed to reflect a two- or three-student reduction in primary grades. Heberle said he's open to it.

"This is a starting point," Heberle said of his proposal. "If we want to talk about reducing by two students in K-3, they won't have to argue with me."

Heberle said the district will be healthy financially in the coming year with the promise of Proposition 30 tax funding, and as the money comes in, he said it's time for the district to restore some of the cuts that have been made in recent years to bridge budget shortfalls.

Lodi Unified has slashed its budget by more than $60 million since 2008. In 2011, trustees made the decision to increase class sizes from a 24-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio in primary grades to 29-to-1 as part of an $11 million budget cut. Grades 4-6 have a 32-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and grades 7-12 are at 34-to-1.

Trustees have pledged to restore class sizes as money became available, Heberle said.

Johnston said he considers the board's desire to hire new teachers and lower class sizes a sign the district is "moving in a positive direction." However, he wants the union to be part of any class-size discussions. He said the union has agreed to salary concessions, and he would like to see the board also address restoring those cuts.

"We support class-size reductions, but we have some concerns," Johnston said.

Board President Ralph Womack said he thinks the board will look at its options.

"I would like to look at K-3. I'd lean toward decreasing class sizes in lower grades, maybe two or three students per class," Womack said. "This is a starting point. I think it will be a thoughtful discussion."